Ikea tells uniformed chief to disarm or leave store

Police Chief Alan Goldberg said in 35 years in law enforcement he's never had a store tell him that he would have to leave

By Chris Gordon
NBC Washington

TAKOMA PARK, Md. — Takoma Park Police Chief Alan Goldberg said in 35 years in law enforcement he's never had a store tell him that he would have to leave his service weapon in the car or leave — especially when he was in his police uniform.

Goldberg was in uniform because he had worked that morning at the city's July 4 parade, and would be back on duty that night for fireworks. In between, he stopped at Ikea to shop for furniture for his daughter's new apartment. And that's when a loss-prevention officer at the store approached him.

"He says we have a no firearms policy, and you're either going to have to leave or you can lock your gun in the car," Goldberg said.